Customers Pay Tribute To Beloved Maryland Baker Harry Kazanjian After Fatal Crash

Support is swelling for the family of Harry George Kazanjian, a true jack-of-all-trades who impacted his Maryland community with pastry for decades. Kazanjian, 69, the longtime owner and master pastry chef behind Les Délices French Bakery in Rockville, died after being struck by a vehicle on Norbeck Road in Montgomery County on Sunday, March 1, police said. Officers and first responders were called around 6:30 p.m. to the intersection of Norbeck Road and Avery Road, where Kazanjian had been crossing the road when he was struck by a 2006 Chrysler Town and Country minivan traveling eastbound, according to police. Kazanjian was pronounced dead at the scene, investigators said. The driver remained at the scene, and the crash remains under investigation. Days later, the family-owned bakery shared the heartbreaking news with customers who had spent decades celebrating birthdays, weddings, and milestones with Kazanjian’s cakes. “For 38 years, Harry poured his heart into making cakes for this community,” the bakery wrote in a message to customers. “He loved his customers, and he expressed that love through his baking.” Kazanjian was the owner and master pâtissier behind Les Délices Bakery on Gude Drive, where he spent nearly four decades perfecting French pastry and crafting desserts that became staples for families throughout the region. Born into an Armenian family in Sudan, Kazanjian spent part of his youth in the United Kingdom before eventually settling in Silver Spring, according to his obituary. His passion for pastry began with formal training in Paris, where he studied haute pâtisserie and completed an internship at the renowned Fauchon. He later refined his skills in professional kitchens in New York City and Paris before opening his own bakery. Harry Kazanjian Les Delices Bakery "On weekends, he would travel to New York for the chance to spend time in professional kitchens, including at Tavern on the Green, alongside another young chef who soon became one of his closest friends," loved ones said. "He worked with many bakers for free simply for the opportunity to learn, observe, and refine his craft."  Over the years, his hands shaped thousands of cakes, pastries, and cookies, each prepared with meticulous care and precision. “For Harry, baking was never merely a profession. It was his passion and the way he expressed care for others,” his obituary states. Harry Kazanjian Les Delices Bakery Now, customers are rallying behind their family through a fundraiser that has raised thousands of dollars in just days. "Harry welcomed so many to the bakery where he created masterpieces, with a personal anecdote, a smile and a cheerful demeanor," Nikhil Bijlani wrote. "We were honored and privileged to partake in so much that he shared with the community." Harry Kazanjian Les Delices Bakery They say the impact of his work stretched far beyond the kitchen. “My wife and I are longtime customers, often stopping for a treat on the way home,” one customer wrote in a tribute. “One time, I knew we would be arriving near the closing time, so I called to see if the shop was still open. Harry answered the phone and assured me he would stay open until we arrived.” Another longtime customer remembered his pastries as unforgettable. “Harry's love for baking was contagious, and I feel so lucky to have experienced his incredible creations,” another tribute read. “His almond croissants, cheesecake, and coconut macaroons were truly my favorites.” Kazanjian is survived by his wife, Suzanne, children Aline and Ari, son-in-law Chris, and grandchildren Araxi and Raffi, along with extended family members. Harry Kazanjian Les Delices Bakery "Many of you came to know the entire family through the bakery," the bakery posted in a tribute. "His wife stood beside him from the very beginning, attending trade shows together and supporting the uncertain journey of opening a new business. Maria, his sister-in-law, became his trusted partner in the kitchen."  Though the bakery now faces an uncertain future, those closest to Kazanjian say the legacy he built through decades of craftsmanship and generosity will endure. "Now his hardworking hands are finally at rest," loved ones wrote. "His apron hangs over his chair one last time. The endless list of ideas he carried in his mind will remain unfinished, but the legacy of his passion and craftsmanship will live on."  The GoFundMe can be found here.